Howard Wilshire discusses and signs The American West at Risk: Science Myths, and Politics of Land Abuse and Recovery August 13, 2009

Presented by the Committee for Green Foothills

This timely book is science-based, but explains in layman's terms the convergent threats that the West, our country, and the world currently face. The authors address such current issues as America's fossil fuel depletion, increased greenhouse gas emissions, tightening water supply, the problems of expanding nuclear power plants, and the polluting effects of urban and industrial wastes. They also explain how misuse of the land has impaired the natural functions that once produced clean air and water with no energy or monetary costs, and have threatened or extinguished many native species, while enhancing the spread of pollution.

Howard Wilshire earned a Ph.D. in Geology from UC Berkeley. His 35-year U.S. Geological Survey career included studies of processes operating in the earth's upper mantle and lower crust, and broad-ranging studies on geologic processes at the land surface, focused on environmental impacts of human activities in arid lands. A long-time member of the Committee for Green Foothills, Howard served as president of CGF during its 20th year. He is Board Chairman of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).